As I prepare myself for my seventh, yes, seventh, viewing of “Incredibles 2” with my daughter, I was inspired to have a new movie-themed racial crossfit! Lucky for you, the assignment is not to watch “Incredibles 2” seven times without going crazy. And for you high school English and social studies teachers, this is an assignment you can do right…
This Week in CPS: Going Deep on Kindergarten Readiness
Today, the Illinois State Board of Education released long-awaited data on how ready the state’s children are for kindergarten in three areas: social-emotional development, math and literacy. The news is sobering: 42 percent of the state’s kindergartners were determined not to be “ready” in any of the three areas measured. Here’s how they got this information. For nearly a decade,…
Math: A Mother’s Lament
Maybe you saw the recent New York Times op-ed on the importance of making our daughters practice math. I believed it before I read it. And, like the author, I believe it matters for boys, too. What I really believe is there’s an even deeper problem: our elementary schools don’t teach math very well. You can read a thorough and…
Let’s Make the Bud A Path to Grow Young Entrepreneurs
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, the summer meant snowballs and penny candy, camp at the local park district, somebody’s uncle or cousin busting open a fire hydrant to cool us from the sun and big family vacations. The signature end to summertime Chi was the Black family reunion in Washington Park, the Bud Billiken Parade. When the…
This Week in CPS: South Loop HS Boundaries, Age of Agility Tour, and More
New South Loop High School Boundaries Spark Public Debate The drama continues over the proposed new neighborhood high school for the South Loop/Bronzeville area. The district has released proposed boundaries that would guarantee seats for students enrolled in the following elementary schools: Drake, Haines, Healy, National Teachers Academy (all students, whether or not they live in the designated attendance area),…
Calendar: Cool South Side Events
Mark your calendars for these cool events coming soon: Join Black Girls Jump at R.A.G.E. So Fresh Saturday Ogden Park 6500 S. Racine in Chicago. August 4 from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM. “So Fresh Saturdays” is a fun, intergenerational, community-driven, “edu-tainment” festival series for the entire family that tours parks throughout Greater Englewood. Each “So Fresh Saturdays” showcases various artistic expressions…
This Week in CPS: Remembering Dion Miller Perez
Last Thursday night, Chicago lost one of its best. Longtime political operative, school budgets expert and all-around fighter for justice Dion Miller Perez died unexpectedly at age 56. A friend described him as “Dion, who’s always there.” And so he was. When Chicago founded Local School Councils, he was among the first elected to serve. He spent time on three…
A School with Student Voice Creates Countless Opportunities
When schools give students the opportunity to speak out, the effects can echo across a student’s life, building confidence and increasing self-esteem. The opportunity to be heard by authorities and school officials makes a student feel accomplished. Additionally, students feel as if they can make a positive impact in the future school system and their communities. Even more importantly, when…